From the owner of Family and G.A.Y, comes the most exciting new addition to Auckland’s gay bar scene in years. Owner Wayne Clark chats exclusively to express about Heaven’s grand opening on Friday 19 May.
The legendary Las Vegas Strip Club at 339 Karangahape Rd is set to undergo a dramatic transformation to become Auckland’s newest gay bar.
Overseeing the transformation is Wayne Clark who owns and operates both Family Bar and G.A.Y.
Clark says that Heaven will fill a gap in the market that has existed since the closure of Urge in 2015.
While Family and G.A.Y cater to younger mixed and queer crowds respectively, Heaven will be a place for a 25+ male clientele who frequent those other venues less often.
While the two established venues will continue to host drag queens and be sequin-filled, patrons should expect a more cruise bar feel akin to the former Urge bar, with the more sophisticated twist you find in venues like Bamboo Tiger.
Clark says his main motivation is providing LGBTQ+ venues that ensure there are “spaces for everybody” across Auckland.
“I feel like there is a gap in the market for a more mature, discerning gay male crowd,” Clark tells express.
“It’s been missing for a while now. There is a market that has nowhere else to go, so I thought I wanted to provide that with Heaven.”
Clark says the response since advertising Heaven in express’ last issue has proven his hunch correct.
“Since we’ve been advertising Heaven in express, the interest has been very high.”
As well as providing a new space to fill that gap, Clark says the opening of Heaven will also mean the repurposing of an iconic Auckland venue which had previously operated as the Las Vegas club for over 50 years until its closure in 2015.
“The venue is quite stunning really, it’s got a top-of-the-line sound system and it’s a space was just been locked up and sitting there that should be used,” Clark tells express.
Heaven will run Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm with its grand opening taking place on Friday 19 May from 11pm. Clark says plans are well underway to recruit some of New Zealand’s top DJs to celebrate the grand opening.
339 Karangahape Rd will retain the iconic showgirl perched on its roof. Clark says has had a bit of a refresh alongside the entirety of the upstairs interior with features state of the art sound and lighting equipment.
Strip shows (burlesque on Friday nights and Men of Steel Saturday nights) will continue to take place earlier in the evening, finishing up at 10pm, with Heaven opening at 11pm and running through till 4am.
Don’t miss Heaven’s grand opening from 11pm on Friday 19 May at (Las Vegas Strip Club) 339 Karangahape Rd.
